Kellie Pickler
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Kellie Pickler was born in Albemarle, North Carolina to Cynthia Morton
and Clyde "Bo" Raymond Pickler, Jr. Cynthia left when Kellie was 2 but
was then granted custody for two years. Kellie was returned to her
grandparents at age 12. Her father was in and out of jail throughout
her childhood and she was raised in Albemarle, North Carolina by her
grandparents, who were big influences in her life. She has a half-sister
named Courtney and two half-brothers, Eric and Michael; she has never
met Michael. Kellie and Eric continued to live with their grandfather
after their grandmother died of lung cancer in 2002. At North Stanly
High School in New London, North Carolina, from which she graduated
in 2004, she was a cheerleader and a beauty queen. In 2005 she tried
out for American Idol (2002)
and was sent to Hollywood. She sang many famous songs, including "Since
U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson, "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride,
and "Blame it on the Sun" by Stevie Wonder. She was one
of Simon's favorites, but was eliminated in the Final 6. Back in North Carolina
she was given a key to the city on "Kellie Pickler Day", May 6, 2006. She then
headed to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue her dreams. She was signed to 19
Recordings/BNA Records and wrote and sang many chart-toppers, including
"Red High Heels", "I Wonder", "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind", "Don't
You Know You're Beautiful", "You Didn't Know How Much I Loved You", and
"The Best Days of Your Life".